'Let Me People Go' Protest Badge
Object numberM2024/016
Title'Let Me People Go' Protest Badge
DescriptionOrange and black protest badge; 'Let My People Go' circa early 1970s.
This badge was used during a Sydney based protest campaign to free Soviet Jews. During the period of 1959-1989, there was international condemnation after Jews from the former Soviet Union were denied permission to emigrate and subjected to official policies of isolation and control. By 1957, a campaign against religion targeted Judaism with many of the country's synagogues forced to close and propaganda stating the Jewish faith 'encourages a love of money [and] promulgates the hatred of other peoples...'. During the 1970s and 1980s, the Soviet government targeted Jewish activists and intellectuals with harassment, exile, imprisonment and admitted into psychiatric institutions.
International efforts in political human rights activism resonated with the simple phrase 'Let My People Go'. Australian protests included demonstrations outside Russian circuses, protesting at the Soviet consulate and candlelight vigils during Bolshoi ballet performances across multiple states, including Sydney and Melbourne.
Michael Joel is son of Australian politician, Sir Asher Joel OAM. Whilst chairing the UNSW committee, he was active in the movement to free Soviet Jewry and participated in demonstrations at the Bolshoi Ballet, Moscow Circus, Sydney Town Hall steps and in Chifley Square.
This badge was used during a Sydney based protest campaign to free Soviet Jews. During the period of 1959-1989, there was international condemnation after Jews from the former Soviet Union were denied permission to emigrate and subjected to official policies of isolation and control. By 1957, a campaign against religion targeted Judaism with many of the country's synagogues forced to close and propaganda stating the Jewish faith 'encourages a love of money [and] promulgates the hatred of other peoples...'. During the 1970s and 1980s, the Soviet government targeted Jewish activists and intellectuals with harassment, exile, imprisonment and admitted into psychiatric institutions.
International efforts in political human rights activism resonated with the simple phrase 'Let My People Go'. Australian protests included demonstrations outside Russian circuses, protesting at the Soviet consulate and candlelight vigils during Bolshoi ballet performances across multiple states, including Sydney and Melbourne.
Michael Joel is son of Australian politician, Sir Asher Joel OAM. Whilst chairing the UNSW committee, he was active in the movement to free Soviet Jewry and participated in demonstrations at the Bolshoi Ballet, Moscow Circus, Sydney Town Hall steps and in Chifley Square.
Production placeAustralia
Production date 1970 - 1975
Object namebadges
Materialmetal
Dimensions
- diameter: 31.00 mm
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Michael Braham Joel